Foolish Baseball
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Baseball
Foolish Baseball is home to 16-bit video essay series about baseball analytics known as Baseball Bits.
Location: US
Joined: July 2012
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@@foolishbaseball
December 17, 2025 • 15:59
The Year of Big Dumper | Baseball Bits
Use code FOOLISHFB50 to get 50% OFF your first Factor box plus free breakfast for 1 year at https://bit.ly/4oZ92gw Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ Cal Raleigh is the Big Dumper. It's a silly nickname for one heck of a baseball player. 2025 was the year of Cal Raleigh and the year of Big Dumper in many ways. It was defined by Cal Raleigh home run record, such as the record for most home runs by a catcher and most home runs by a switch hitter. MLB switch hitting will be a focus of this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production. We'll do a baseball analysis of Cal Raleigh swing from the left and right sides of the plate. I hope Seattle Mariners fans in particular enjoy this statistical breakdown of Cal Raleigh. He was certain their MVP, and according to some, the 2025 AL MVP over Aaron Judge. Although the season ended just short of the ultimate postseason glory, Raleigh continued to play well in the Mariners ALDS and Mariners ALCS, nearly rallying them to their first World Series appearance. Oh well, there's always next year! _______________________________________________ Swing Similarity Score Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MDAEG7t6y912PQR1Df9-LXFLwGbDnE7bq2u_qSG03r4/edit?usp=sharing Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com/
October 30, 2025 • 13:59
You're Wrong About Paul Skenes | Baseball Bits
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB __________________________________________ Paul Skenes is a finesse pitcher, and you're wrong about Paul Skenes. On his way to a Cy Young Award in 2025, Paul Skenes' 2025 season continued to defy the narrative placed upon him. The former 2023 MLB Draft #1 overall pick, a product of LSU baseball, is a command pitcher. Power pitcher simply sells his finesse and craftiness short. This episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, is a study in control and especially pitcher command. We'll use data from Inside Edge to compare Paul Skenes to Greg Maddux, a more commonly accepted example of a control pitcher. __________________________________________ Max Bay's Dynamic Dead Zone Tool: https://dynamic-dead-zone.streamlit.app/ Driveline's Greg Maddux Study: https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/2025/07/greg-maddux-was-a-unicorn/?srsltid=AfmBOopG2U0fDfmlCGOc43r_URmv3CbqtERJBA7Y8vYkoFBQc1cLpQ6p Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
September 28, 2025 • 16:00
The Hardest Thrower That Never Was | Baseball Bits
Use code FOOLISHFB50 to get 50% OFF your first Factor box plus free breakfast for 1 year at https://bit.ly/4oZ92gw Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ Steve Dalkowski. That is the name of the hardest thrower that never was. Turns out that baseball's hardest thrower never played in MLB. It's a cautionary tale to same degree. Dalkowski's struggles on and off the field were well-documented, most recently in the biography "Dalko" from Dembski, Thomas, and Vikander. But they were also documented in fiction. Steve Dalkowski was the inspiration for the character Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Durham. In this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, we'll tell the story of Steve Dalkowski chronologically while also doing our own baseball stat analysis of why never reached the big leagues. ______________________________________________ Dalko: The Untold Story of Baseball's Fastest Pitcher: https://store.dexteritybooks.com/products/dalko-the-untold-story-of-baseballs-fastest-pitcher Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com/
August 31, 2025 • 15:30
Baseball Is Ruining Gambling | Baseball Bits
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB __________________________________________ This is a video about sports gambling, two worlds that have always existed parallel to one another, but only recently had their relationship recognized and legalized in the United States. While some might say that gambling is ruining sports or gambling is ruining baseball, in this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, I satirically argue that baseball is ruining gambling. Reversing the roles as I suggest regulating or banning Major League Baseball, so as not to sully the good names of DraftKings or FanDuel. __________________________________________ Maitreyi Anantharaman on Tigers parlays: https://defector.com/gambling-detroit-tigers-parlays-fanduel-bally-sports Tyler Kepner on athlete threats: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6385628/2025/06/11/mlb-sports-betting-gambling-player-poll/ Darren Rovell on Parlay Patz: https://www.actionnetwork.com/news/sports-bettor-wins-huge-parlay-ben-patz-darren-rovell Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
July 28, 2025 • 13:30
Corey Seager Is So Good... | Baseball Bits
Use code 50FOOLISH to get 50% OFF plus free shipping on your first Factor box at https://bit.ly/4fK11Hh Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ Corey Seager is good at baseball. That is essentially the message of this video. Of course, we'll look at it through an analytical lens that includes Corey Seager Rangers highlights and Corey Seager Dodgers highlights, which include his two Corey Seager World Series MVP awards. But this is also a study of MLB plate discipline metrics, and how aggressive hitters like Corey Seager have approaches that can be quantified. Some other mentions: Corey Seager defense, which is underrated. As well as a Corey Seager shortstop comparison vs the rest of those who played the position. There is also some fun Dodgers MLB draft analysis, as well as a look at Seager's matchups vs elite pitchers, like Seager vs Skubal. I hope you'll enjoy this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production. ______________________________________________ Robert Orr's SEAGER Article: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/86572/the-crooked-inning-corey-seager-rangers/ SEAGER Leaderboards: https://therealestmuto.shinyapps.io/Damage/ Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com
June 30, 2025 • 16:00
Why Old Hitters Are Going Extinct | Baseball Bits
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB __________________________________________ Where did our olds go? I'll do my best to explain. In MLB, there is a decline in old hitters. The oldest players in MLB simply aren't as old as they used to be, at least among position players. And those that remain receive less playing time and are generally less effective. In 2025, the three old hitters on pace to qualify for the batting title are Carlos Santana, Andrew McCutchen, and Paul Goldschmidt. Keep in mind, the days of Albert Pujols old, Joey Votto old, and Miguel Cabrera old are long gone. They've all retired and are on their way to Cooperstown. How can this be? Hopefully this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, can help explain. ____________________________________ Jolly on Drew Pomeranz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIZXElP9txc /u/Constant_Gardner11 on Old Hitter Decline: https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1cy0ay7/no_country_for_old_men_playing_time_for_age_35/ Stark and Sarris on Pitchers vs Hitters: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5579800/2024/06/21/mlb-offense-low-reasons-hitters-pitchers/ Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
May 27, 2025 • 18:10
Hank Aaron's 15th Best Season | Baseball Bits
Use code 50FOOLISH to get 50% OFF plus free shipping on your first Factor box at https://bit.ly/4fK11Hh Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ Hank Aaron is one of the all time great players in baseball history, but it's almost difficult to describe just how great he was. This video essay, part of the Baseball Bits series on Foolish Baseball, will attempt to alleviate that. Because Henry Aaron shouldn't be remembered for his peak season, rather his incredible consistency with the Hammerin Hank Aaron Braves. We'll compare that consistency in Henry Aaron to all the other best hitters in MLB history. That will include comparisons such as Hank Aaron vs Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron vs Barry Bonds, and Hank Aaron vs Willie Mays, the latter of which was his peer. You won't really get discussions on who the true MLB home run king is or should be. The focus isn't really the former Hank Aaron home run record. The 15th Best Season is really just my angle to describing that consistency. This isn't even an average season for Aaron, who qualified for the batting title in 20 and played in 23. We'll also be sure to hit on the basic Henry Aaron trivia as well, like Hank Aaron All Star Games, Hank Aaron Negro Leagues, Hank Aaron brother, and Hank Aaron hits. ______________________________________________ Ecker Adjustment: https://eckeraadjustment.web.illinois.edu/#rankings Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com
April 20, 2025 • 14:00
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ___________________________ Joba Chamberlain. Poor guy. What did he do to deserve the Cleveland Midges? The Midge Game aka the Bug Game was 2007 ALDS Game 2. And those 2007 ALDS Game 2 bugs went to town on poor Joba Chamberlain, causing a midge meltdown that led to a Yankees loss. In this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, we'll trace the life cycle from Lake Erie midge to Cleveland midge swarm. And how that affected proceedings between the Yankees and the franchise formerly known as the Cleveland Indians, now the Guardians. ___________________________ The Ringer on the Midge Game: https://www.theringer.com/2021/05/11/mlb/yankees-cleveland-bug-game-midges-joba-chamberlain Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
March 23, 2025 • 15:45
Bryan Woo Sucked in College. Now He’s a Star in MLB | Baseball Bits
Use code 50FOOLISH to get 50% OFF plus free shipping on your first Factor box at https://bit.ly/4fK11Hh Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ______________________________________________ Bryan Woo's career at Cal Poly of the Big West Conference baseball didn't exactly go to plan. He struggled with a 6.49 ERA, and never established himself as a starter. Despite this, the Mariners draft Bryan Woo decision has been huge for the franchise. The 2021 MLB Draft featured a lot of early "busts," but a 6th round pick like Bryan Woo has been great. And that's because Mariners Trent Blank, director of pitching strategy, advocated for his selection. Some topics discussed in this video include: Vertical Approach Angle baseball (VAA for short), baseball arm angles and baseball arm slots, and baseball analytics, especially those captured by platforms like Rapsodo baseball, Trackman baseball, and Statcast Hawk-Eye baseball. And all taken into account in the Trent Blank Bryan Woo decision. I hope not just Seattle Mariners pitching fans or college baseball fans, but fans of all MLB will enjoy this episode of Baseball Bits, a baseball video essay series. _______________________________________________ Adam Jude on Trent Blank: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jul/13/how-mariners-pitching-pipeline-mines-mlb-draft-for/ Baseball America 2021 Draft rankings: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2021-mlb-draft-best-available-prospects-remaining/ Ted Williams "The Science of Hitting": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ5iiaF-T3I Soundtrack by William Kage: https://www.williamkage.com
February 16, 2025 • 16:30
The Stupidest Thing a Pitcher Can Do | Baseball Bits
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/foolishbaseball TWEETER: https://twitter.com/FoolishBB ___________________________ Punching an object. Breaking their hand. Pitchers need their hands to, well, you know, pitch a baseball. But this video is about the throwers brave enough to punch a wall, punch a locker, or punch a door and break their hand. The most common fracture for a pitcher breaking hand? The fifth metacarpal fracture AKA the boxer's fracture. I tracked 20 incidents related to MLB pitcher punch wall, MLB pitcher punch locker, MLB pitcher punch door, and more. These 20 pitcher punches serve as a warning, and this video is an analysis of those warning signs. In an era where pitching is in itself a hazard, the amount of self-inflicted injuries has grown at an alarming rate. 2024 alone gave us four incidents: Colten Brewer punch, Mason Miller punch, Brock Burke punch, and Anthony Banda punch. We'll also examine some less recent incidents like the 2021 Devin Williams punch of 2004 Kevin Brown punch. Is this the stupidest thing a pitcher can do? I would have to say yes, at least on team property. Emotions run high when you're playing baseball of course, and in this episode of Baseball Bits, a Foolish Baseball production, we'll be looking at the 20 times those emotions got the best of our punching pitchers. ___________________________ Metacarpal fractures in athletes: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5344851/ Pitcher Punches spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YM8Naxya51wSnmc8cjJOWoR7EsVZMkyY4ggnRcDUMEc/edit?usp=sharing Soundtrack from Maxo: https://soundcloud.com/maxo https://maxo.bandcamp.com/
